Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss Review

About the book: Anna and the french kiss 
Stars: 4/5

Quick Recap: 

Anna Oliphant is not happy when her father sends her to France to live and study in SOAP aka School of American in Paris. She longed to return back home where she had her best friend, Bridge, her brother, Seany and everyone she knows.When she bumps into Etienne, who was hot, cute and has an adorable an accent, that's when her Paris experience started getting juicier. 

Review: 

Anna Oliphant just arrived in Paris in her new boarding school and she's not very excited despite the fact that she's in Paris. On the very first day she cried, prompting her next door neighbour Meredith to invite herself in her room and comfort her. Mer tells Anna about their friend "group" who consists of Rashmi and Josh, who are a couple and St. Claire who she secretly likes but unfortunately he has a girlfriend. She then meets a gorgeous boy who introduced himself as Etienne. He's the type of boy who wouldn't just leave a girls memory but then she realizes that Ettienne is actually St. Claire; one of Mer's friends. Anna continues to tag along with Mer and her friends and soon becomes part of the group as she builds relationships with everyone; especially with Etienne (ya know it *wink*)

It all started when Etienne would help Anna order because she couldn't speak french. One day, the gorgeous Etienne takes Anna out to explore Paris to terminate her longing to go back home. Etienne takes her to Point Zero where she makes a wish, as they were arriving home they find two movie theatres. Etienne learns how Anna admires films and was so trilled to see her so happy. They were both building a connection with each other without even realizing it. They were close to returning when Ellie, Etienne's girlfriend, comes along and takes him away. At least she was acting casual despite seeing his boyfriend with a girl, it was that or be a complete mean girl (she took the high road).

Anna knows to stay back from Etienne because he's taken, but he has also been so kind to her that it makes it hard to stay back in the friend zone lane. She keeps telling her that he is taken because Etienne just keeps treating her special and it's getting harder to resist him each time they are together. They go to a couple of films over the course of several months, but some days, her other friends would tag along. They have been spending a lot of time with each other and they gradually become inseparable.

Her friends talked her into going to a party and that's when she finds Josh and Etienne drunk. Etienne was very angry with his dad. He ended up in Anna's room when Etienne spills out his feeling for her, this made things a lot more confusing. She didn't know if it was the alcohol or if it was true. Anna decides to pretend she never it and acted normal, until Christmas break when they spent time together mainly because they were the only ones left and their connection grew.

Another break and this time, Anna and Etienne were back home (America). Anna was Shocked to learn that Troph, who she had a 'thing' with, was dating her best friend, Bridge! This resulted in Anna pouring out her problems to Etienne through text. They mostly kept in touch the whole time by texting each other whenever they can. Unfortunately, it wasn't a pleasant visit back home for Anna. When they finally return to Paris, things got even more intense between them, until they couldn't take it any longer, one thing led to another until they were making up. Up until  Mer saw them! (oh my gosh, I felt so bad for her.) That's when things got even more frustrating, Etienne had run after Mer (keep in mind Mer also has a crush on Etienne and Anna is one of her friends ... ouch) but Anna finds out he also went to Ellie's that night.

Anna was angry and didn't understand why he was still with Ellie even after their "make-out,", they were pretty distant with each other for a couple of weeks. Anna ruined her relationship with Mer and everyone hates her. Everything was in the wrong place and she didn't have anyone.

She finally goes to Etienne and that's when Etienne was able to explain his feeling for her and that he had broken up with Ellie for her. They instantly forgave each other and it was time for Anna to go to Mer. It took her a while to realize how to open up to others, Anna finally apologized to Mer and they both got along. This also resulted in Anna understanding Bridge and also forgives her.

The biggest thing I learned was that we should let people explain before we assume anything that happened because had Anna let Etienne explain why he was at Ellie's, she would have understood his intentions and saved weeks of loneliness.

Thoughts: 

First, let me just tell you that I love this cover. I couldn't buy and I was too eager to read it so I borrowed it in the library, luckily I was first in line.

Okay, so this book! First, I Love PETER KAVINSKY, I mean, ETIENNE ST. CLAIRE! alright, I don't understand why I love most of the guys in books I read ( well aside from their perfect word choices and their impeccable sense of humour). I just wish I could meet people like them! WHY?! There is so much boyfriend characters I love so much that I might have to make you guys a list. *awkwardly coughs*, anyways, back to my thoughts.

Anna: Alright, so Anna, my first question to her is "Why are you moping when you're in Paris??"  You're in France for crying out loud! There's a supply of croissants available!!  My parents don't even let me get the mail alone so I'm very sorry that I feel a tinge jealousy. Admittedly so, I understand her struggles going into a new school, let alone a new country especially when not knowing anyone (thanks to her dad of course). I admire Anna's personality, she knows when to keep things to herself just to save other people's feelings. 

Cons: Don't get me wrong, I like Anna but to be honest, I was a bit irritated with Anna when she got upset with Etienne when he didn't break up with his girlfriend, Ellie (I mean, not everything revolves around you ya know!). Especially the times where she didn't let Bridge explain the whole Troph situation and when she didn't let Etienne explain why he went to Ellie's house right after they made out. Fortunately, towards the end, I was happy when she got over herself and let Etienne clarify the whole situation.   

Etienne: I love Etienne's french name, Etienne. He's such a sweet character, I think I fell in love with him myself, I mean, who wouldn't. I love how he is so kind to everyone and how sweet he treats Anna. 


Overall I was happy with the ending! I was glad Anna and Etienne made up and grateful that Etienne had his happy ever after as well.

November 9 Review

November 9, by Colleen Hoover
Book Review

Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year on November 9. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist for his novel.

For the past two weeks, I've been binge reading Colleen Hoover's books. I don't know why I chose to, but I'm glad I did because it's the best idea I've had since ... a while.
Going into this book, I was expecting tears and heart break, mostly because I previously read Ugly Love by CoHo and because CoHo wrote the book, it's pretty much guaranteed that there'll be tears included.

There were a couple things I noticed about the book and my thoughts about it.

1. The instant attraction Ben and Fallon had

• Usually, it would bother me when this happens because really? EVERY SINGLE ROMANCE BOOKS HAVE THIS PLOT. Even though I noticed this, I didn't really mind because they're gonna see each other every year so might as well feel all those emotions if you'll only be with them a day out of the 365 days of the year.

2. Fallon's great idea of moving all the way to New York

• I'm not great at US geography (or geography in general) but I'm going to imagine that's a huge distance between LA to New York. Keep in mind that she's going by herself especially since her father won't even support her decision. I admire that of her because I don't think I'll be able to do that. Heck I don't even know how to take the bus (mostly because I stay home and because I'm scared to).

3. Fallon's obedience to her mom's advice

• I loved how Fallon was taking her mom's advice to heart. Personally, I agree with her mom's lesson because it is easy to get lost and carried away especially if there's a lot of things to distract you with. So props for her.

4. BEN

• Benton James Kessler. What's there not to love? The way he made Fallon feel good and those compliments. Where can I get my own Ben?? He was so nice and sweet and just perfect.

So yes overall, I loved this book. There were parts of it where I totally lost it.
On the November 9 where Fallon surprised Ben by showing up on his front door when Kyle died. I was floored. I mean who does that?! And when Ben took her to his room and cried on her shoulder?? It was hard to hold back the dam. Then when they did the deed, I cried some more (yeah, it's kind of weird that I cried, but it was just so emotional) .. And when Ben was like asking if they could just stop meeting every November 9 and be together, but she said no, I couldn't even breathe anymore.

But then there was a short break where everything was okay (for now).

 And then SHE GOES BACK TO SEE BEN AND ABOUT TO TELL HIM SHE'S BACK FOR GOOD BUT THEN WE FIND OUT THAT HE'S WITH JORDYN. I. LITERALLY. THOUGHT. I. FELT. MY. HEART. BREAK!

Up to the moment where we find out that everything was connected and that everything Ben has been through was actually for nothing, but that it was too late because his emotions were clouded that night. Finally, when everything was explained in his book, it made everything else they've been through worth it because they were meant to be and that they deserve each other.

Overall, the plot was really good. It isn't like any books I've read (except for the whole love at first sight part). It has a lot of emotions and the characters were easy to love. This is an important key to a book because, it is really hard to love a book especially when you cannot understand where the character comes from or what their thoughts are about certain things. There were a lot of valuable advice in the book as well. I could not agree more about how important it is to finding yourself. It is important and seeing how this point is applied into the book, it was even better. Colleen Hoover is such an amazing author. I can't wait to see more of her works in the future.

In conclusion, if you somehow missed what I was saying due to my not-so-professional-review, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is currently on a reading stump because this will totally take you out of it.. But then be the reason for another reading stump because you're going to be on a post-CoHo hangover.

Also side note in reference to Ugly Love:
So when  Kyle died, people were coming to the house including Ian's friend and his wife. His friend's name is Miles and Miles' wife's name is Tate.. Yes as in Miles Archer the pilot from Ugly Love. In November 9, we find out that Ian is a pilot.. Meanwhile in Ugly Love, we also know that Miles is a pilot and his very close friend is Ian since they grew up together and they're both pilots. So that fact blew my mind and made me appreciate Colleen Hoover more bc that was very sneaky of her.